Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) signals reduced from Gayatri Mantra fire oblations during Yagya

Abstract

Galvanic skin response (GSR) is the measurement of the autonomic activation of sweat glands in the skin for depicting stress, emotional arousal and relaxation pattern. Yagya is a Vedic ritual composed of rhythmic chanting of various mantras along with the mantra infused oblations in the designated sacrificial fire altar. Since Vedic times, it is widely and traditionally performed for various purposes including peace, happiness and mental and physical wellbeing. Hence, the present study attempted to explore the GSR pattern during Yagya ritual. The study measured GSR pattern in the 12 participants during Yagya ritual and evaluated changes in GSR signal during chanting of different mantra of the Yagya ritual. The result indicated GSR signal during Yagya ritual followed a defined pattern. Median GSR signals were decreased after fire ritual i.e. later-half of the Yagya compared to first-half of the Yagya (median fold change decrease 1.38; n=12; p=0.0010). Interestingly, this decrease in GSR was achieved significantly during oblations to fire with Gayatri Mantra (median fold change decrease 1.35; n=12; p=0.0024), and remained low compared to that of in starting phase of Yagya ritual, indicating significance of Gayatri mantra in Yagya ritual to achieve relaxation state. Overall, the study indicated the tremendous potential of Vedic traditional ritual of Yagya. In our studies, Yagya came across as a winner in marking a positive effect in terms of relaxation in our emotional state.